Vietnam has potential to localize renewable energy technology

Hanoi According to experts, the three potential sectors of onshore wind power, offshore wind power and solar power could reach 160 billion USD in the 2025-2050 period.

The information was presented by Ms. Vu Chi Mai, Director of the Clean, Affordable Energy and Energy Security Project for Southeast Asian Countries (CASE) at the Vietnam Technology and Energy Forum 2023 (6th time) organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the afternoon of December 14.

Citing research from CASE, Ms. Mai said that Vietnam has the potential to promote the localization market, the rate will increase from 45% to nearly 80% for solar power, from 37% to 55% for wind power, by 2050. The localization value can reach 80 billion USD, accounting for 50% of the total market potential.

However, for onshore wind power, Vietnam currently has no factories producing nacelles, hubs and blades, and has not yet produced submarine cables. Existing cable suppliers can expand their factories to supply submarine cables for offshore wind power, but face strong competitive pressure from other suppliers in Asia.

Regarding solar power, photovoltaic panels account for nearly 55% of total project investment, but the domestic rate is still limited. There are currently only 8 manufacturing plants with a total estimated capacity of about 10-20 GW/year, mainly for export.

Ms. Vu Chi Mai shared at the forum on the afternoon of December 14. Photo: Minh Duc

Speaking at the forum, Ms. Tran Thi Hong Lan, Deputy Director of the Department of Technology Application and Development, Ministry of Science and Technology , also acknowledged that the localization rate of the supply chain and the participation of Vietnamese enterprises in the field of wind power and solar power is still low. According to statistics, renewable energy projects still import 90% of equipment.

She said the slow localization is due to the lack of assessment capacity, infrastructure, technological capacity, and production level that do not meet the requirements. In addition, the policy mechanism to support the renewable energy industry is still lacking. Therefore, Ms. Lan hopes that the forum will focus on building and perfecting energy technology policies, promoting cooperation and enhancing the transfer of high-knowledge technology.

Ms. Tran Thi Hong Lan speaking at the forum. Photo: Minh Duc

Sharing experience from Indonesia, Mr. Fabby Tuwina, Executive Director of the Indonesian Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), said that in this country, solar power is growing exponentially. By the end of 2023, Indonesia's solar power capacity is expected to reach about 0.8 to 1 GWp. To achieve the net zero emission target by 2030 and 2050, studies show that solar power capacity needs to grow by 4.4-15.3 GWp by 2030 and from 12.3-69.2 GWp in the period 2030 - 2050. Therefore, Indonesia has set a target of localization in solar cell development of 40% by 2030.

He stressed that localization in solar power development helps create green jobs and reduce imports from abroad. The solar power industry can create 1,300 jobs in the manufacturing sector for every gigawatt of electricity generated. In addition to improving the productivity and competitiveness of domestic enterprises, the goals of promoting localization are to meet electricity demand and implement renewable energy targets under the national energy policy.

Despite the huge potential of the solar power market, with an estimated annual investment capital of 2-7 billion USD by 2030, IESR representatives said there are significant challenges. Rooftop solar power is limited to an installed capacity of less than 15%, narrowing the domestic solar panel market. Only 5% of domestically produced products are brought to the market.

Drawing on Indonesia’s experience, he suggested that a specific roadmap should be developed to provide sufficient market signals for the development of the solar panel manufacturing industry. Next, support from the downstream industry to supply raw materials is needed to reduce dependence on imports and increase the competitiveness of final products.

Sharing about the orientation of developing the renewable energy industrial ecosystem, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Institute of Energy, Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that according to the Power Plan VIII, it is determined to form chains from electricity production, transmission and consumption; equipment manufacturing industry, developing the renewable energy industrial ecosystem in potential areas such as the North, South Central, and South.

Analyzing the localization potential of offshore wind power projects, Mr. Hung said that this rate is nearly 40% for items including project management, foundation supply, transmission lines, onshore and offshore transformer stations, construction ports and operation and maintenance. He proposed that there should be a clear strategic plan and complete transparency of procedures, attractive electricity prices, focusing on research and development of priority areas in the equipment supply chain and infrastructure investment.

At the forum, experts also proposed solutions to promote the transfer of applications and development of wind power and solar power technology, such as businesses should optimize each stage, create low investment costs to have good electricity prices. In addition, businesses can order scientists to research suitable technologies.

The Vietnam Technology and Energy Forum has been organized annually by the Ministry of Science and Technology since 2017. The forum has the participation of hundreds of delegates, discussing research policies, application transfer and solutions to promote technology localization in the development of wind and solar power.

Nhu Quynh

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